A novel one lobe technique of thulium laser enucleation of the prostate: 'All-in-One' technique

PURPOSE: The thulium laser is the most recently introduced technology for the surgical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Until recently, most thulium laser enucleation of the prostate (ThuLEP) was performed by use of the three-lobe technique. We introduce a novel one-lobe enucleation technique for ThuLEP called the "All-in-One" technique. We report our initial experiences here. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From June 2013 to May 2014, a total of 47 patients underwent the All-in-One technique of ThuLEP for symptomatic BPH performed by a single surgeon. All patients were assessed with the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), transrectal ultrasonography, serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA), maximal urine flow rate (Qmax), and postvoid residual urine volume (PVR) before and 1 month after surgery. We reassessed IPSS, Qmax, and PVR 3 months after surgery. To assess the efficacy of the All-in-One technique, we checked the PSA reduction ratio, transitional zone volume reduction ratio, and enucleation failure rate. RESULTS: The mean operative time was 82.1+/-33.3 minutes. The mean enucleation time and morcellation time were 52.7+/-21.7 minutes and 8.2+/-7.0 minutes, respectively. The mean resected tissue weight and decrease in hemoglobin were 36.9+/-24.6 g and 0.4+/-0.8 g/dL, respectively. All perioperative parameters showed significant improvement (p<0.05). No major complications were observed. The PSA reduction ratio, transitional zone volume reduction ratio, and enucleation failure rate were 0.81, 0.92, and 4.3%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The All-in-One technique of ThuLEP showed efficacy and effectiveness comparable to that of other techniques. We expect that this new technique could reduce the operation time and the bleeding and improve the effectiveness of enucleation.

An Analytical Comparison of Short-term Effectiveness and Safety Between Thulium:YAG Laser Vaporesection of the Prostate and Bipolar Transurethral Resection of the Prostate in Patients With Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

PURPOSE: In recent years, laser surgery has been widely used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). A thulium:yttrium-aluminium-garnet (Tm:YAG) laser was recently introduced for BPH surgery. We compared the effectiveness and safety of Tm:YAG laser vaporesection of the prostate (ThuVaRP) with that of bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2010 to December 2012, 86 patients underwent surgical treatment for symptomatic BPH by a single surgeon. We retrospectively analyzed and compared the medical records of 43 patients who underwent ThuVaRP and 43 patients who underwent bipolar TURP. All patients were assessed by using the International Prostate Symptom Score, transrectal ultrasonography, the serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, uroflowmetry, and postvoid residual volume before and 1 month after surgery. All complications were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: ThuVaRP was superior to TURP in catheterization time (p50 g), operation time was much longer with ThuVaRP. One month after surgery, the decrease in PSA was greater (p=0.045) with ThuVaRP than with TURP, and the increase in maximal urine flow rate was greater (p<0.001) with ThuVaRP than with TURP. The postoperative complication transient urinary incontinence was significantly different between the ThuVaRP group (nine cases, 20.9%) and the TURP group (two cases, 4.7%). Other complications were comparable between groups. CONCLUSIONS: The effectiveness and safety of ThuVaRP and TURP were comparable. ThuVaRP is a promising alternative surgical technique to TURP for BPH.

Comparative Study between Standard and Totally Tubeless Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy

PURPOSE: Several recent studies have reported the benefits of tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL). Postoperatively, tubeless PNL patients have an indwelling ureteral stent placed, which is often associated with stent-related morbidity. We have performed totally tubeless (tubeless and stentless) PNL in which no nephrostomy tube or ureteral stent is placed postoperatively. We evaluated the safety, effectiveness, and feasibility of totally tubeless PNL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 2008 to February 2012, 57 selected patients underwent standard or totally tubeless PNL. Neither a nephrostomy tube nor a ureteral stent was placed in the totally tubeless PNL group. We compared patient and stone characteristics, operation time, length of hospitalization, analgesia requirements, stone-free rate, blood loss, change in creatinine, and perioperative complications between the standard and totally tubeless PNL groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in preoperative patient characteristics, postoperative complications, or the stone-free rate between the two groups, but the totally tubeless PNL group showed a shorter hospitalization and a lesser analgesic requirement compared with the standard PNL group. Blood loss and change in creatinine were not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Totally tubeless PNL appears to be a safe and effective alternative for the management of renal stone patients and is associated with a decrease in length of hospital stay.

Comparative Study between Standard and Totally Tubeless Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy

PURPOSE: Several recent studies have reported the benefits of tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL). Postoperatively, tubeless PNL patients have an indwelling ureteral stent placed, which is often associated with stent-related morbidity. We have performed totally tubeless (tubeless and stentless) PNL in which no nephrostomy tube or ureteral stent is placed postoperatively. We evaluated the safety, effectiveness, and feasibility of totally tubeless PNL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 2008 to February 2012, 57 selected patients underwent standard or totally tubeless PNL. Neither a nephrostomy tube nor a ureteral stent was placed in the totally tubeless PNL group. We compared patient and stone characteristics, operation time, length of hospitalization, analgesia requirements, stone-free rate, blood loss, change in creatinine, and perioperative complications between the standard and totally tubeless PNL groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in preoperative patient characteristics, postoperative complications, or the stone-free rate between the two groups, but the totally tubeless PNL group showed a shorter hospitalization and a lesser analgesic requirement compared with the standard PNL group. Blood loss and change in creatinine were not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Totally tubeless PNL appears to be a safe and effective alternative for the management of renal stone patients and is associated with a decrease in length of hospital stay.

A Feasible Technique for Transient Vascular Occlusion by Using a Vessel Loop and Hem-o-Lok Clips in Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy

PURPOSE: We introduce our transient vascular occlusion technique that uses a vessel loop and Hem-o-Lok clips in laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 2009 to March 2011, 15 consecutive patients underwent laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. All operations were performed by a single surgeon using the transperitoneal approach. The transient vascular occlusion technique was as follows. After dissection of renal vessels, the vessel loop is winded twice around the vessel. Both distal portions of the vessel loop are clipped with a Hem-o-Lok clip. When vascular occlusion is required, an additional Hem-o-Lok clip is applied to the proximal portion of the vessel loop by pulling the distal portion. When no longer needed, the vessel loop is simply cut. RESULTS: All operations were performed successfully without open conversion. The mean tumor size was 2.5 cm (range, 1.1-3.5 cm). There were 8 cases of renal cell carcinoma and 7 cases of angiomyolipoma. All cases of renal cell carcinoma had a negative surgical margin. The mean operative time and the mean warm ischemic time were 176 minutes (range, 104-283 minutes) and 26.1 minutes (range, 18-34 minutes), respectively. There were no cases of uncontrollable intraoperative bleeding and no postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: The transient vascular occlusion technique with a vessel loop and Hem-o-Lok clips is a feasible technique with simplicity, effectiveness, and safety. It is an acceptable alternative to standard vascular occlusion techniques, such as laparoscopic bulldog or Satinsky clamps.

Lymphoepithelioma-like Carcinoma of the Urinary Bladder

A 78-yr-old woman presented with gross hematuria for 2 weeks. On cystoscopy, a frond-like mass was observed at the bladder trigone. Transurethral resection of bladder tumor was performed for the mass. Histopathological findings showed that 90% of lesions were lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELCA) and a few lesions were non-invasive transitional cell carcinoma. On microscopy, syncytial growth pattern and indistinct cytoplasmic borders were observed with the severe infiltration of lymphoid cells. The case was followed-up for 8 months without recurrence. This is the first report of a LELCA case in Korea.

Early Experience with Laparoscopic Retropubic Simple Prostatectomy in Patients with Voluminous Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic simple prostatectomy was recently developed to treat voluminous benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). We describe the surgical technique and assess the feasibility of laparoscopic simple prostatectomy through our early experience. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical records of 11 patients who underwent laparoscopic simple prostatectomy between March 2008 and January 2010 were retrospectively analyzed. The subjects were limited to the patients who satisfied the following conditions: prostate volume was at least 75 g, acute urinary retention repeatedly occurred or maximal flow rate (Qmax) was at most 10 ml/s, and International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) was at least 12. The surgery was performed by the laparoscopic extraperitoneal approach with a transcapsular route. Feasibility was assessed by objective operative parameters (reconversion, operating time, and blood loss) and perioperative complications. Data on short-term follow-up were also available. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 70.6 years. Mean preoperative prostate-specific antigen and prostate volume were 6.1 ng/ml and 109.3 cc, respectively. Mean operation time was 191.9 minutes and estimated blood loss was 390.9 cc. The resected adenoma weighed on average 72.4 g. No conversion to open surgery was required. Mean preoperative IPSS and quality of life (QoL) scores were 26.86 and 4.86. Mean Qmax, measured before the surgery, was 4.5 ml/s and residual urine was 106 ml. Mean postoperative IPSS and QoL scores were 4.2 and 1.5. After the surgery, mean Qmax was 15.5 ml/s and residual urine was 24.1 ml. CONCLUSIONS: In the case of voluminous BPH, laparoscopic retropubic simple prostatectomy is expected to be a useful treatment on the condition that the learning curve can be overcome with clinical experience.

Ureteral Complications of the Transplanted Kidney after Hand-Assisted Laparoscopic Donor Nephrectomy: Comparison with Open Procedure

PURPOSE: We compared recipients' ureteral complications after hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (HALDN) and open donor nephrectomy (ODN). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 1999 and September 2006, a total of 166 transplantaions were underwent via a HALDN or ODN. Kidney transplantation was performed in a standard fashion and ureteroneocystostomy was done by extravesical Lich-Gregoir method. We retrospecitvely compared 2 groups with regard to ureteral complications and functional recovery of transplanted kidney. RESULTS: Twenty-six right kidneys (26/88) were transplanted in HALDN and 20 right kidneys (20/78) were done in ODN. 18 multiple arteries were found in HALDN and 13 in ODN. The mean ischemic time of HALDN and ODN was 270 and 290 seconds. If short length of ureter or anastomosis site swelling was found, ureteral catheter was inserted to ureter of recipient (HALDN: 12, ODN: 3). Four ureteral complications were happened in HALDN group; five in ODN group. In HALDN, two ureteral leakages, one ureteral stricture and one ureteral leakage with anastomosis site narrowing were developed. In ODN, one vesicoureteral reflux, three ureteral leakages and one ureteral stricture were developed. Laterality and multiple renal arteries were not related with ureteral complications. Only ureteral stent insertion reduced ureteral complications (p<0.05). Acute rejection in 1 year were 6 patients in HALDN and 4 patients in ODN. In HALDN, 1-year patient and graft survival was 98.9% (87/88) and 95.5% (84/88); In ODN 100% (78/78) and 98.7% (77/78). CONCLUSIONS: In comparison with ODN, HALDN combined with the extravesical ureteral implantation technique provides similar graft outcomes with low ureteral complication rate. These results suggest that HALDN is safe and effective comparable recipient surgical outcomes.

A Functioning Adrenocortical Oncocytoma

Adrenocortical oncocytomas are exceptionally rare and most are benign and nonfunctioning. Only 3 cases of adrenal oncocytomas have been reported in the Korean literature and all of them were nonfunctioning. Herein, we report a case of a functioning adrenocortical oncocytoma in a 49-year-old man who presented with Cushing syndrome.

Surgical Correction of Intersex with Feminizing Genitoplasty / 대한비뇨기과학회지

PURPOSE: Feminizing genitoplasty is the surgical management after female gender assignment for intersex patients. The surgical outcome and complications of 20 cases of feminizing genitoplasty were analyzed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 1988 and December 2003, 20 patients surgically treated by feminizing genitoplasty, were retrospectively reviewed. The mean ages at the time of diagnosis and surgical treatment were 6.25 and 7.35 years, respectively. The preoperative evaluations included history taking, physical examination, and chromosomal, hormonal, and radiological studies. All patients underwent feminizing genitoplasty, including at least one of clitoral reconstruction, vaginoplasty or labial reconstruction. The 20 patients were analyzed according to their karyotype, phenotype, gender of rearing, ages at diagnosis and operation, surgical procedures, complications and follow up. RESULTS: Of the 20 cases, there were 10 female pseudohermaphroditism, 6 male pseudo- hermaphroditism, 3 gonadal dysgenesis, and 1 Mayer- Rokitanski-Kuster syndrome. Within these cases, 14, 10 and 9 clitoral reconstructions, vaginoplasties and labial reconstructions were performed. The streak gonad was removed in all patients with gonadal dysgenesis. Postoperative cosmetic and functional effects were successful, with few complications. CONCLUSIONS: Considering our surgical outcomes, feminizing genitoplasty for intersex patients, who are determined to a female gender assignment, is a good surgical procedure.

The Supracostal Transhepatic Approach for Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy / 대한비뇨기과학회지

The optimal approach for a staghorn, large upper calyceal or complex renal stone burden is through the upper pole posterior calyx, which at times is best accomplished by a supracostal puncture. A supracostal posterior calyx puncture is usually of concern due to the potential complications of pneumothorax, hydrothorax and lung injury. A case of right upper calyceal calculi is reported in a 25-year-old male, who was managed by a supracostal transhepatic percutaneous nephrolithotomy.